The Supreme Court restored relief to former Periyar University Deputy Registrar R. Saravanan on 16 October 2026, ruling that an appellate bench cannot overturn a reasonable writ-court decision merely because it prefers another view.
Judge / Bench — Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar; judgment by Justice Shree Chandrashekhar.
The university had removed Saravanan following a disciplinary inquiry concerning college affiliation, a house and a car. The Court upheld the inquiry’s procedural validity but found its adverse conclusions rested on conjecture rather than evidence.
It set aside the Madras High Court Division Bench’s reversal and restored the single judge’s decision. Letters Patent appellate intervention requires cogent grounds and a demonstrably erroneous finding, not a minor mistake or disagreement. A finding unsupported by evidence remains reviewable in writ jurisdiction.
Advocates appearing — For the appellant — Not named in the judgment. For respondent Periyar University — Romy Chacko, senior counsel. For other respondents — Not named in the judgment.